What happened: Lansing firm EPIC-MRA releases a new poll in which 62 percent of 600 respondents disapproved of the job Gov. Rick Snyder is performing. That’s up from 57 percent in July and highest since a 60 percent disapproval was recorded in May. According to the Aug. 13-16 survey, 33 percent approve of the job he is doing.

Mlive file photoGov. Rick Snyder

Voters are in a sour mood generally. According to the polling, 54 percent say Michigan is on the wrong track and just 33 percent say it’s on the right track. Compare that to February when 41 percent said the state was heading in the right direction; just 32 percent said it was going the wrong way.

Why it matters: Pollster Bernie Porn said voters are skeptical that business tax cuts will improve the state’s economy and don’t care for cuts to education aid or increased taxes on retirement income. Unless there is swift job creation that can justify the changes, Porn said Snyder’s numbers are unlikely to climb. “He’s captive to what’s happening in the economy.”

Public employee health-cost sharing set for approval
Tuesday, Aug. 23

What happened: A House-Senate conference committee agrees to give public employers an option. They can now cap their contribution to health insurance premiums at a fixed dollar amount - $5,500 for a single employee, $15,000 for family coverage - or at 80 percent of the total. Both chambers approved it the next day.

The measure could save in excess of $500 million annually if applied to all state, school and local government employees. While not binding on state civil service employees, Gov. Rick Snyder will press unions to adopt an 80-20 standard in place for workers hired after April 1, 2010. According to analysts, doing so would save $174 million. Snyder is seeking $145 million in employee savings. The law does apply to non-civil service workers including legislative and judicial staff, judges, lawmaker’s and the governor’s office.

Why it matters: While Democrats assert the measure violates local control, organized labor has already been making health-care concessions. Republicans argue the proposal is an alternative to raising taxes or laying off employees. The end result, they say: more teachers in classrooms and more police on the street.

AP File PhotoAn employee places marijuana in a container for a client at a marijuana dispensary.

Court rules marijuana dispensaries can be shut down

Wednesday, Aug. 24

What happened: A three-judge Michigan Court of Appeals panel rules a Mount Pleasant dispensary that takes a commissions selling patient-to-patient marijuana can be shuttered.

The 2008 law authorizing the drug for medicinal purposes doesn’t allow its sale, the judges said. The ruling comes as some local communities express frustration that vagaries of the law allow what amounts to legalization of the drug.

Why it matters: The ruling comes as lawmakers seek to tighten the law but are unsure if they can assemble the three-fourths vote required to amend a citizen-initiated statute. “This ruling is a huge victory for public safety and Michigan communities struggling with an invasion of pot shops near their schools, homes and churches,” Attorney General Bill Schuette said.

Lawmakers tighten 48-month limit on cash welfare
Wednesday, Aug. 24

What happened: In 2006, Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a 48-month limit for cash welfare assistance that today amounts to $511 a month. But the Department of Human Services has had broad leeway to exempt parents. There now are nearly 12,000 families over the limit. A welfare measure sent to Snyder saves $65 million by taking most discretion away.

Courtesy photoDHS Director Maura Corrigan

Democrats argue time limits punish families when jobs are scarce. About 25,000 children will be affected by the cutoff. Republicans argue the poor still have access to medical care, day-care services and food assistance. Rent assistance will be available for those in job training.

Why it matters: When Maura Corrigan left the state Supreme Court to head the DHS, she said Snyder’s reinvention of Michigan would leave no one behind, “including the most vulnerable among us.” Supporters of her appointment, however, expressed dismay as unemployment again nears 11 percent.

“As Michigan recovers from a deep, deep recession and jobs remain in short supply, this is the wrong time to implement this policy,” said Gilda Jacobs of the Michigan League for Human Services.